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dynAdZ
Contributor I
October 1, 2020
Answered

Alexa volume issue since 12.1

  • October 1, 2020
  • 131 replies
  • 10277 views

Hi folks,

I’m experiencing issues related to the volume of Alexa since the Sonos update to 12.1. I’m using a surround setup with one Sonos Beam and two Sonos Play:1 in my living room. Since a few years, the Alexa response volume was just static and not related to the music volume set by Sonos. This was a good thing because you could listen to music in very low volume while you could talk to Alexa and get a normal, relatively loud response.

Since 12.1, the Alexa volume seems to be related to the overall speaker volume. Now when the volume is set maybe between 1-20%, it is just impossible for me to communicate with Alexa because her responses are extremely quiet. I can only start to understand her again when the volume slider is maybe at 25-30% or higher, but then of course the music is also proportional louder, which is not good.

Is there any way to set the Alexa volume independent of the music volume?

Thank you very much in advance.

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    Best answer by nabheet

    Well I have an interesting update. I am not sure but the I may have accidentally fixed my Sonos Beam Alexa volume issue. 
     

    I am not sure what exactly fixed the issue but I had made quite a few changes. I started with enabling Trueplay in the Sonos app. Then set the treble/base/midrange volume to maximum values in the Alexa App → devices → [sonos speaker], then changed it back. I also enabled the loudness radio button in the EQ setting in Sonos App. Then I had also changed the speaker in the Alexa App for the Sonos speaker from Built-in to itself, basically the name that Alexa thinks it has. And then changed it back. 
     

    I don’t know how to validate my changes as I think my Sonos Beam is working fine currently. Both my TV volume and Alexa volume seem to be in the same range. 
     

    also, forgot to mention that my TV is really old so I have used the included Fiber Optic output sound to HDMI adapter. 

     

    Hoping this will help someone else or invalidated. 

    131 replies

    Show previous replies
    Fez33
    Fez33
    Trending Lyricist II
    December 8, 2020

    I'm experiencing the same problem 

    MY SONOS SYSTEM HAS BEEN A BIG LETDOWN FROM DAY 1 FIRST LIP SYNC PROBLEMS WHEN PLUGGED IN VIA HDMI LEAD NOW THIS PROBLEM WITH ALEXA 

    SONOS THIS IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH WHEN PAYING PREMIUM PRICES 

      mega90
      Lyricist III
      December 9, 2020

      Update 12.2.2
      Problem still not fixed!

      ElSol
      Lyricist I
      December 13, 2020

      I’m having the same problem on my Sonos Arc. This Sonos system cost a lot of money, and something this simple should not be an issue. What’s wrong with Sonos engineers, or the product management that would let this through? Major fail.

        mitchellkmeyer
        Lyricist I
        December 21, 2020

        A couple weeks ago I Sonos-ified my house with an arc, beam, sub, and several Ones with the intention of having access to Alexa throughout the house. One of the pushes in my purchasing of an extensive set of non-SL speakers was to replace my echos around the house, but as I am unable to hear them when I’m quietly playing music, Alexa has become useless.

        Blasting your music to hear and use Alexa is not a reasonable solution.

        This issue has also been the culprit of a couple overcooked meals as I was unable to hear the alarm I set on my Alexa.

        I’m also very disappointed to find that this is a NEW issue caused by later firmware updates, and that product support has failed to acknowledge this negatively impactful behavioral change to their product line. I’d expect more from a multi-thousand dollar system that claims to seamlessly integrate with Alexa.

        I’m sorry to say Sonos is loosing a brand new customer right off the bat.

        Literroy
        Contributor I
        December 22, 2020

        Just another voice chiming in to say this is a big issue. Alexa is unusable in the current form, and Alexa is a large part of why I bought a Sonos Beam. 

        GJ451723
        Lyricist I
        December 22, 2020

        Me too. Volume far too low and changes the sound bar level too high if you ask to turn it up. 

        Zkmdh
        Lyricist I
        December 27, 2020

        Just registered to add my name to the list of folks displeased with sonos for this issue. Was working fine with Alexa - now it’s pretty much worthless unless you blast the volume. Reading this thread just pisses me off at sonos customer service. 

          Lil’Ja
          Lyricist I
          December 27, 2020

          Adding myself to the list. Same issues with a Sonos One.  It is VERY frustrating as our entire house runs on Alexa routines and integrated apps with about 75 devices  and it functions smoothly without any issues, EXCEPT for the soft volume problem discussed.  So needless to say it sticks out like a sore thumb, and is a thorn in my side.  It is also VERY disappointing to read through all these members similar issues and to not have a quick direct action response from customer service.  Other services integrated with Amazon’s Alexa in the past had worked quickly to resolve problems or issues, and I’m not sure why Sonos appears to be dragging their feet. I don’t suspect this is a small issue effecting a limited number of users posting on this string, but indeed is most likely just the tip of the iceberg.  One of the members earlier said it best, Sonos has been the premier in wireless home speaker systems, but multiple other companies are making for serious competition. If Sonos wants to be on top, they have to stay on top off members issues and problems. 

            nabheet
            Lyricist II
            December 27, 2020

            LOL! Just installed a new Sonos Beam after Santa got it for me. 
             

            Alexa volume is ridiculously low! I don’t even want them to allow separate volume controls. Just set the default volume to match the TV input volume!!!! Just hardcode it to be the same value!!!!!

            nabheetAnswer
            Lyricist II
            December 28, 2020

            Well I have an interesting update. I am not sure but the I may have accidentally fixed my Sonos Beam Alexa volume issue. 
             

            I am not sure what exactly fixed the issue but I had made quite a few changes. I started with enabling Trueplay in the Sonos app. Then set the treble/base/midrange volume to maximum values in the Alexa App → devices → [sonos speaker], then changed it back. I also enabled the loudness radio button in the EQ setting in Sonos App. Then I had also changed the speaker in the Alexa App for the Sonos speaker from Built-in to itself, basically the name that Alexa thinks it has. And then changed it back. 
             

            I don’t know how to validate my changes as I think my Sonos Beam is working fine currently. Both my TV volume and Alexa volume seem to be in the same range. 
             

            also, forgot to mention that my TV is really old so I have used the included Fiber Optic output sound to HDMI adapter. 

             

            Hoping this will help someone else or invalidated. 

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